Car Bomb guitarist Greg Kubacki recently shared the story of how a casual conversation at a Brooklyn bar led to him temporarily replacing Joe Duplantier in Gojira for several shows across France. Revolver Magazine reported the story.
Kubacki explained how the opportunity arose during Joe Duplantier’s birthday celebration at a popular metal hangout spot in Brooklyn.
“It was Joe’s [Joe Duplantier] birthday, and we were at a bar, Duff’s in Brooklyn, which is, like, the hangout spot for all metalheads, and where Car Bomb hang out all the time,” Kubacki said. “I was like, ‘You know who to call if you need a little help, there.’ But [Joe] was like, ‘It’ll be fine, don’t worry about it.'”
The guitarist described how quickly the situation changed when Duplantier reached out a week later.
“But then a week later, he was like, ‘Hey, you wanna go to France for a couple weeks?’ I was in, immediately,” he continued. “As soon as I got that call [ed. from Duplantier], I was like, ‘I know what to do, I know how to practice, I have the gear ready, let’s just go.'”
Kubacki detailed the intensive preparation process that followed.
“Me and Joe rehearsed together for three weeks at Silver Cord with Johann Meyer, who is their sound engineer,” he explained. “They record a lot of stuff live, so they were able to mix in a lot of tracks and just have me and Joe play along to their live performance. [By the time] we were in France, we were ready to go.”
The Car Bomb guitarist also reflected on the unique challenges of adapting to Gojira’s style.
“The hardest part, I guess, was the stuff we don’t do in Car Bomb,” he said. “We don’t really pay attention to the way a song ends. We don’t really pay attention to clean-tone parts, or the little stuff in-between songs. But it was fun, man. It was really cool.”
This collaboration occurred while Joe Duplantier was recovering from an arm injury.
The unexpected partnership brought together two highly respected figures in the metal scene. It showcased the tight-knit nature of the heavy music community.
Kubacki’s selection as Duplantier’s temporary replacement wasn’t surprising given his reputation in the metal world. Revolver Magazine noted that the tech-djent guitarist has been hailed by legendary musicians including Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Living Colour’s Vernon Reid for his technical prowess. His ability to combine technical wizardry with atmospheric brutality has made him a standout figure in the progressive metal scene.
The fill-in opportunity arose from Duplantier’s medical situation, which required immediate attention. Metal Injection reported that Joe Duplantier underwent hand surgery in late November 2025, necessitating the search for a capable replacement guitarist. The timing of the surgery coincided with Gojira’s scheduled French tour dates. This made Kubacki’s availability crucial for the band’s commitments.
Car Bomb, Kubacki’s primary band, has built a reputation for their complex, mathematically-driven approach to heavy music. The group’s intricate compositions and technical demands have established them as leaders in the djent and progressive metal movements. This background provided Kubacki with the technical foundation necessary to tackle Gojira’s demanding catalog. However, he acknowledged the stylistic differences between the two bands’ approaches.
The collaboration highlights the mutual respect between musicians in the metal community, where artists frequently support each other during challenging times. Kubacki’s willingness to step in at short notice, combined with his rapid preparation and adaptation to Gojira’s material, demonstrates the professionalism and camaraderie that defines the genre’s most respected performers.
